System, method and computer-readable medium for utilizing a shared computer system

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method, apparatus and computer-readable medium for utilizing a shared computer system. The method includes receiving, by way of at least one interface, an access request associated with a potential user of a financial entity for access to a secure data processing center of a financial regulatory system, wherein the secure data processing center is configured to share information associated with specified financial activities. The method includes determining a classification of the potential user with respect to one or more potential or actual access rights to be associated with the potential user for accessing the secure data processing center. The determined classification of the potential user is that the potential user is an eligible user of the secure data processing center as defined by an accrediting organization of the financial regulatory system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by way of at least one interface, an access request associated with a potential user of a financial entity for access to a secure data processing center of a financial regulatory system, wherein the secure data processing center is configured to share information associated with specified financial activities among authorized users through a secure, centralized application environment; and   determining a classification of the potential user with respect to one or more potential or actual access rights to be associated with the potential user for accessing the secure data processing center, wherein the determined classification of the potential user is that the potential user is an eligible user of the secure data processing center as defined by an accrediting organization of the financial regulatory system.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining includes identifying whether the potential user is associated with the financial entity associated with the Department of Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the determining includes identifying whether the financial entity is accredited by the United States Department of the Treasury to participate in fraud detection and mitigation activities permitted by Section 314(b) of the USA Patriot Act. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 sharing, through the secure, centralized application environment, information to alert an other user or financially entity about a person or entity suspected of involvement in an incident of suspected fraud, money laundering, terrorist financing, or a combination thereof; and   logging the shared information to provide an auditable history.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 automatically and periodically verifying, by the secure data processing center, that users and entities remain eligible by synchronizing with an authoritative accreditation list maintained by the accrediting organization of the financial regulatory system.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 assigning a collaboration request or communication to a designated user or investigator within an entity and maintaining a record of such assignment within the secure data processing center.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing, within the secure data processing center, a searchable directory of eligible users and entities, and enabling an authorized user to initiate secure communication or collaboration with an eligible user directly through the secure, centralized application environment.   
     
     
         8 . An apparatus comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following:   receiving, by way of at least one interface, an access request associated with a potential user of a financial entity for access to a secure data processing center of a financial regulatory system, wherein the secure data processing center is configured to share information associated with specified financial activities among authorized users through a secure, centralized application environment; and   determining a classification of the potential user with respect to one or more potential or actual access rights to be associated with the potential user for accessing the secure data processing center, wherein the determined classification of the potential user is that the potential user is an eligible user of the secure data processing center as defined by an accrediting organization of the financial regulatory system.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the determining includes identifying whether the potential user is associated with a financial entity associated with the Department of Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the determining includes identifying whether the financial entity is accredited by the United States Department of the Treasury to participate in fraud detection and mitigation activities permitted by Section 314(b) of the USA Patriot Act. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 sharing, through the secure, centralized application environment, information to alert an other user or financially entity about a person or entity suspected of involvement in an incident of suspected fraud, money laundering, terrorist financing, or a combination thereof; and   logging the shared information to provide an auditable history.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 automatically and periodically verifying, by the secure data processing center, that users and entities remain eligible by synchronizing with an authoritative accreditation list maintained by the accrediting organization of the financial regulatory system.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 assigning a collaboration request or communication to a designated user or investigator within an entity and maintaining a record of such assignment within the secure data processing center.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 providing, within the secure data processing center, a searchable directory of eligible users and entities, and enabling an authorized user to initiate secure communication or collaboration with an eligible user directly through the secure, centralized application environment.   
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to at least perform the following steps for utilizing a shared computer system:
 receiving, by way of at least one interface, an access request associated with a potential user of a financial entity for access to a secure data processing center of a financial regulatory system, wherein the secure data processing center is configured to share information associated with specified financial activities among authorized users through a secure, centralized application environment; and   determining a classification of the potential user with respect to one or more potential or actual access rights to be associated with the potential user for accessing the secure data processing center, wherein the determined classification of the potential user is that the potential user is an eligible user of the secure data processing center as defined by an accrediting organization of the financial regulatory system.   
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 automatically and periodically verifying, by the secure data processing center, that users and entities remain eligible by synchronizing with an authoritative accreditation list maintained by the accrediting organization of the financial regulatory system.   
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 assigning a collaboration request or communication to a designated user or investigator within an entity and maintaining a record of such assignment within the secure data processing center.   
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 providing, within the secure data processing center, a searchable directory of eligible users and entities, and enabling an authorized user to initiate secure communication or collaboration with an eligible user directly through the secure, centralized application environment.